Broadcast receiver and method for displaying channel information

ABSTRACT

A broadcast receiver and a method for displaying channel information are disclosed, in which video signals of each channel are displayed in a multi-PIP mode when a channel list is displayed, so that a user can identify the channel list through video. Therefore, since broadcasting channel program information is displayed in real time in the multi-PIP mode of a video type, the user can share the broadcasting information with a broadcasting station in real time. Also, since the user can readily identify information on various broadcasting channels on a channel edition screen, it is possible to facilitate channel edition.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2005-009060, filed on Feb. 1, 2005, which is hereby incorporated byreference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a broadcast receiver, and moreparticularly, to a method for displaying channel information, in whichchannel information is displayed to allow a user to readily view it.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Digital broadcasting has been studied and developed based upon highpicture quality, multi-channel, and multi-function. Particularly,broadcast providers have schemed out digital broadcasting ofmulti-channel and high picture quality to provide consumers havingvarious tastes and various levels as well as the existing users withtheir desired broadcasting contents. To this end, a digital broadcastreceiver suitable for such a trend toward multi-channel broadcasting isrequired.

A plurality of channels are essentially required to provide variousbroadcasting contents. In this case, there occurs some difficulty inselecting a channel for providing desired information among variouschannels.

In other words, in the related art, since only a channel number isdisplayed for channel edition such as setting a preference channel list,there occurs inconvenience in that a user should directly select acorresponding channel or refer to a broadcasting program list so as toacquire information on the channel.

In this case, a problem occurs in that the user requires much time andkey input operation. Also, a problem occurs in that the user shouldfully search for respective channels to select a desired channel from abroadcasting program having a plurality of channels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a broadcast receiverand a method for displaying channel information, which substantiallyobviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of therelated art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast receiverand a method for displaying channel information, in which a plurality ofbroadcasting channel information are displayed on a channel editionscreen along with video of a corresponding channel so as to allow a userto readily view the channel information.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, abroadcast receiver according to the present invention includes a videoprocessor tuning at least one channel if a channel edition mode isprovided and processing video signals of the tuned channel in amulti-PIP mode, a graphic processor graphically processing channel datainformation on each video signal of the video processor, and amultiplexer multiplexing the video signals processed in the multi-PIPmode and the graphically processed channel data information of thegraphic processor to display the multiplexed signals on a TV screen.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for displayingchannel information includes a) tuning at least one channel if a channeledition mode is provided and processing video signals of the tunedchannel in a multi-PIP mode, b) graphically processing channel datainformation on each video signal in the step a), and c) multiplexing thevideo signals processed in the multi-PIP mode and the graphicallyprocessed channel data information to display the multiplexed signals ona TV screen.

In other aspect of the present invention, a method for displayingchannel information includes a) tuning at least one channel if a channeledition mode is provided and converting video signals of the tunedchannel into SD grade video signals corresponding to low resolution toreduce a size of a screen, and b) displaying the video signals of eachchannel processed in the step a) in a multi-PIP mode to display achannel list.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a broadcast receiver fordisplaying channel information in a multi-picture-in-picture (PIP) modein accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of channel information displayed in amulti-PIP mode in accordance with the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for displaying channelinformation in a multi-PIP mode in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a broadcast receiver fordisplaying channel information in a multi-PIP mode in accordance withthe preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The broadcast receiver according to the present invention includes atuner 10, a demultiplexer 20, a user interface (UI) 30, and a videoprocessor 70.

The video processor 70 includes a graphic controller 40, a videocontroller 50, and a multiplexer (Mux) 60.

A broadcasting signal, which corresponds to a stream of a compressedformat (MPEG, H.263), is transmitted to the tuner 10 of the broadcastreceiver (for example, set-top box and built-in TV).

The signal output from the tuner 10 is input to the demultiplexer 20,and is divided into video, audio, and data information (PSIP) in thedemultiplexer 20.

Among the signals output from the demultiplexer 20, the videoinformation is input to the video controller 50 and the data informationis input to the graphic controller 40.

The video controller 50 serves to display the video information outputfrom the demultiplexer 20 in a multi-PIP mode. The video controller 50outputs the video information in a moving picture.

At this time, to improve processing speed of the video information, thevideo controller 50 outputs the video signals divisionally output fromthe demultiplexer 20 in standard definition (SD) grade video signalsinstead of high definition (HD) grade video signals by reducing a sizeof the screen.

The small sized video signals of the standard definition gradecorresponding to low resolution and output from the video controller 50allow the user to reduce the amount of data while maintaining channelinformation, thereby improving the processing speed.

In other words, the multi-PIP mode is an improved one of a PIP mode, anddisplays information on a plurality of broadcasting channels on aplurality of small sized sub-screens of a TV screen in a video type soas to allow the user to view the corresponding channel information. Thescreen of the multi-PIP mode and the video information of eachbroadcasting program channel displayed on the screen of the multi-PIPmode are executed by the video controller 50. Such a function of thevideo controller 50 maximizes space utility on the TV screen having alimited area so that a plurality of broadcasting channels can bedisplayed. Therefore, the broadcast receiver of the present inventioncould be used for a digital TV or a chip of a mobile communicationterminal.

Furthermore, among the signals output from the demultiplexer 20, thedata information (e.g., channel number, channel name, and so on) of thechannel is input to the graphic controller 40.

In addition to the data information of the channel input from thedemultiplexer 20, a signal indicating a channel selected by the user isinput from the user interface 30 to the graphic controller 40.

At this time, the user interface 30 serves to connect the user'sexternal input signal with the broadcast receiver.

The channel information on the input channel and the user's externalinput signal are provided to the graphic controller 40, so that thegraphic controller 40 can graphically display the channel datainformation, such as channel number and channel name of the video screendisplayed on the TV screen, in the multi-PIP mode.

At this time, to view the currently selected channel, flickering isdisplayed on the corner of the PIP screen corresponding to the channelselected through the user interface 30. And, if the user selects anotherchannel, flickering is shifted to the corner of the PIP screencorresponding to the newly selected channel.

The signals processed by and output from the graphic controller 40 andthe video controller 50 are multiplexed by the multiplexer 60 and thendisplayed on the TV screen.

Therefore, since the user can identify information on variousbroadcasting channels on the channel edition screen through video of themulti-PIP mode as well as the channel name and channel number, it ispossible to readily acquire channel information for channel edition andreduce the time required to acquire the channel information.

Furthermore, various transmission routes exist in digital broadcasting.That is, a plurality of broadcasting programs are transmitted to onechannel using a single physical channel (frequency band) or differentbroadcasting programs are transmitted per time slot. Therefore, in thepresent invention, the user can usefully receive and identify exactbroadcasting channel information under a variable broadcastingenvironment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a channel list in which video signalsof each channel are displayed in a multi-PIP mode in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

First, a TV screen 100 includes a plurality of video displays 110 ofcorresponding channels and a plurality of broadcasting informationdisplays 120 of corresponding channels.

A video moving picture of each channel is displayed in each of the videodisplays 110 while channel name, channel number, and so on of eachchannel are graphically displayed in each of the broadcastinginformation displays 120. The channel selected by the user is flickeredon the corner of the corresponding broadcasting information display 120to view that the user has selected the channel.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for displaying channelinformation in a multi-PIP mode in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention.

First, if the user selects channel edition through a menu, the tuner 10receives the broadcasting signals to tune them (S10).

Audio, video and data signals from the signals tuned by tuner 10 aredemultiplexed and decoded (S20). At this time, the demultiplexer 20demultiplexes the signals while the video processor 70 decodes them.

In other words, the video controller 50 of the video processor 70decodes the video signals among the signals demultiplexed and divided instep S20 and determines whether multi-PIP video signals are generatedfrom the decoded video signals (S30). If the multi-PIP video signals arenot generated, step S20 is again executed. On the other hand, if themulti-PIP video signals are generated, the video controller 50 outputsthe multi-PIP video signals in a moving picture (S40).

The graphic controller 40 of the video processor 70 determines whetheror not to receive data information (channel name, channel number, and soon) of the corresponding channel in the multi-PIP mode from the datasignals demultiplexed and divided in step S20 (S50). Also, the graphiccontroller 40 graphically outputs the data information on the receivedchannel using a graphic object (S60).

At this time, if the data information on the channel is not received instep S50, step S20 is again executed.

The multi-PIP video signals output in step S40 and the data informationon the channel output in step S60 are multiplexed by the multiplexer 60(S70).

The signals multiplexed in step S70 are displayed on the TV screen asshown in FIG. 2 (S80).

As described above, in the present invention, video of each channel isdisplayed in the multi-PIP mode when the channel list is displayed. Inthis case, the user can readily identify the channel list through thevideo.

The broadcast receiver of the present invention could be used forvarious products that will receive TV signals, such as PC, PDA, mobilecommunication terminal, and refrigerator, as well as a TV receiver.

The broadcast receive and the method for displaying channel informationaccording to the present invention have the following advantages.

First, since the broadcasting channel program information is displayedin real time in the multi-PIP mode of a video type, the user can sharethe broadcasting information with the broadcasting station in real time.

Second, since the user can identify information on various broadcastingchannels on the channel edition screen through video of each channel aswell as data information such as channel name and channel number, it ispossible to readily acquire channel information for channel edition andfacilitate channel edition.

Finally, the broadcast receiver of the present invention could be usedfor various products that will receive TV signals, such as PC, PDA,mobile communication terminal, and refrigerator, as well as a TVreceiver. In this case, it is possible to obtain the same effectsthrough these products.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, itis intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A broadcast receiver comprising: a video processor configured to tuneat least one channel if a channel edition mode is provided andprocessing video signals of the tuned channel in a multi-PIP mode; agraphic processor configured to graphically process channel datainformation on each video signal of the video processor; and amultiplexer configured to multiplex the video signals processed in themulti-PIP mode and the graphically processed channel data information ofthe graphic processor to display the multiplexed signals on a TV screen,wherein the channel data information is multiplexed in the video signalsprocessed in the multi-PIP mode and is displayed in a channel list. 2.The broadcast receiver as claimed in claim 1, wherein the videoprocessor processes the video signals of each channel in a movingpicture.
 3. The broadcast receiver as claimed in claim 1, wherein thevideo processor converts HD grade video signals into SD grade videosignals and reduces a size of the screen.
 4. The broadcast receiver asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the channel data information includeschannel name and channel number.
 5. The broadcast receiver as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the graphic processor graphically focuses a PIP screenof a channel selected by a user.
 6. The broadcast received as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the displayed channel list is editable.
 7. A method fordisplaying channel information comprising: a) tuning at least onechannel if a channel edition mode is provided and processing videosignals of the tuned channel in a multi-PIP mode; b) graphicallyprocessing channel data information on each video signal in the step a);and c) multiplexing the video signals processed in the multi-PIP modeand the graphically processed channel data information to display themultiplexed signals on a TV screen, wherein the channel data informationis multiplexed in the video signals processed in the multi-PIP mode andis displayed in a channel list.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 7,wherein the step a) includes processing the video signals of eachchannel in a moving picture.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 7,wherein the step a) includes converting HD grade video signals into SDgrade video signals and outputting the video signals by reducing a sizeof the screen.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the channeldata information includes channel name and channel number.
 11. Themethod as claimed in claim 7, wherein the displayed channel list iseditable.
 12. A method for displaying channel information comprising: a)tuning at least one channel if a channel edition mode is provided andconverting video signals of the tuned channel into SD grade videosignals corresponding to low resolution to reduce a size of a screen;and b) displaying the video signals of each channel processed in thestep a) in a multi-PIP mode to display a channel list, wherein the stepb) includes graphically processing channel data information on eachvideo signal, the channel data information being multiplexed in thevideo signals processed in the multi-PIP mode and being displayed in thechannel list.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein thedisplayed channel list is editable.